Rail travel will become expensive from December 26, know how much it will cost before travelling?
The Railways has announced a fare hike effective December 26th, which will affect long-distance travelers. Fares remain unchanged for up to 215 km in ordinary class, but for distances beyond that, you'll have to pay an additional 1 paisa per km, and 2 paisa per km in mail, express, and AC trains. This translates to an additional 10 rupees for a 500-km journey.
Train Ticket Price Increase: If you're planning to travel by train, this news is extremely important for you. Indian Railways has announced a change in passenger fares, effective December 26, 2025.
However, the Railways has called it "fare rationalization" rather than a "fare increase." The good news is that everyday commuters and short-distance travelers won't be affected by this change, but long-distance travel will now become slightly more expensive.
Which passengers will have to loosen their pockets?
The Railways has clarified that this increase will primarily apply to long-distance travel. According to the new rules, if you travel more than 215 kilometers in Ordinary Class, you will have to pay an additional 1 paisa per kilometer.
However, if you travel in non-AC class on mail or express trains, the increase will be 2 paisa per kilometer. Fares for AC class passengers have also been increased by 2 paisa per kilometer.
This is easier to understand with an example. Suppose you travel 500 kilometers in a non-AC coach. Under the new rules, your ticket price will increase by only ₹10.
This may seem small, but when millions of passengers travel, it contributes significantly to the railway's coffers. The railways hope that this small change will generate additional revenue of approximately ₹600 crore this year.
Relief for daily commuters and short distance commuters
The Railways has clarified that there has been no increase of even a single rupee in the fares of suburban trains and monthly season tickets (MSTs).
Furthermore, this increase will not affect passengers traveling up to 215 kilometers in the general class. This means that the budget of the common man who relies on trains for short journeys will not be affected.
Why did the Railways have to increase the fares?
The primary reason behind the fare hike is the railway's rising costs. Over the past decade, the railways have significantly expanded their network and operations, leading to a significant increase in manpower and expenditure.
Looking at the figures, the Railways' manpower expenditure has risen to ₹1,15,000 crore. The pension burden has also reached ₹60,000 crore. The total cost of operating the Railways in 2024-25 is projected to exceed ₹2,63,000 crore.
To meet these massive expenses and improve security, the Railways are having to find new sources of revenue. This is why the Railways is now focusing on increasing cargo loading and has made this minor adjustment to passenger fares.
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